This month's subject is very interesting, how to make affirmations work for you.

GET MORE OUT OF LIFE: FEEL HAPPIER! GET RICHER! LOSE WEIGHT!

Slimming down, Quitting smoking, Getting a promotion or a new job or a bigger house.... what's your dream? Read on to discover the surprisingly simple technique that can get you everything you want right now!!!

Discover the magic formula that will... make your dreams a reality!

If someone told you that the fastest, most effective way to get anything you wanted was to simply tell yourself you already have it, would you believe her?

Here's proof that it's true: "One hundred percent of the people who used affirmations in my studies made the change they wanted," says Linda Cohen, affirmations researcher and author of Expect Success.

Just by repeating affirmations -positive phrases- you can attain any goal, like making more money or building confidence, says affirmation researcher Bill Marshall, creator of the Power Affirmations CD collection. "And you don't even have to believe these statements are true for it to work." For instance, if you say "I'm rich," even when you know you're not, you'll still be well on your way to more money.

How can that be? "When you keep repeating affirmations, you convince your mind that they're true," Marshall explains. Studies show that's because each repetition helps build new neural pathways- or thought patterns- in your brain. "And that programs your subconscious to come up with ideas to make your goal happen," says Marshall.

To use affirmations to make your dreams come true, start by.....

-Saying them in the present tense-like "I am happier," instead of "I will be happier". Studies show this will get your subconscious mind to work twice as hard to make your life resemble your goal.

-Making them short and to the point.- Long, complex statements - like "I'm in control of my cravings, and I'm losing 10 pounds" are more difficult to remember, according to a recent study. As a result, you'll keep changing your affirmation so that it's never quite the same. "And that lessens the affirmation's effect," says Marshall.

-Not being too specific. Affirmations work best when your goals are clear, but repeating too many specifics can make them backfire, says Lynn Robinson, M.Ed., author of Divine Intuition. "If your affirmation is specific, like "I'm losing five pounds each week," and you don't succeed in it, you'll feel let down," says Robinson. Then, your subconscious will doubt your affirmation "and you may stop losing weight altogether!"

So Robinson suggests using general affirmations -like "I feel more slender than I used to," if you want to lose weight.

WRITING HELPS YOUR BRAIN BELIEVE

-Writing down your affirmation at least 10 times throughout your day.

According to new studies, writing is one of the top techniques for imprinting a new belief onto your brain. "So try writing out your affirmation," Marshall suggests.

-Picturing yourself successful. Visualizing yourself reaching your goal makes you twice as likely to succeed in real life, according to one study. "That's because visualizing what you want helps you attach a strong emotion to your affirmation," says Robinson, "which makes it more believable for your brain."

So, for instance, if you want a new dream home, envision its details-like the way you'll decorate it, Robinson recommends.

-Avoiding the top affirmation-busters: "no," "don't" and "not".

Remember the last time you told yourself, "I won't eat that piece of cake!"? Well, would you believe you convinced your brain that you really wanted the cake even more? It's true, says Marshall. "When you tell yourself not to do something, it has the opposite effect." That's because when you think of something you won't do, your mind actually pictures you doing it, according to researchers.

Sally Brighton of Hartford had a job interview scheduled and kept telling herself, "Don't get stressed out." What happened? "Instead of feeling calmer," she reports, "I felt worse!" Anxious to feel calmer, she finally repeated to herself, "I feel confident and calm." The result? Her stress level plummeted. "And I nailed the interview!" she says.

TRY WISHING WHEN YOU WAKE UP

-Saying your affirmation at the best time of day. The moments right after you wake up and right before dozing off to sleep are the best times. "This is when we're most relaxed and have the fewest distractions," says Linda Cohen. "As a result, your subconscious mind is most open to the power of suggestion-and affirmations."

Older Articles -
There are No Impossible Dreams!
Feng Shui
Return to the newest article -